The Harder They Come

The Harder They Come Review

By Christopher Null

As a piece of Jamaicana, the Jimmy Cliff-starrer The Harder They Come owns a unique place in cinematic history. The film, which introduced America to the sounds of reggae, is a cult classic among Cliff fans. As a movie, sadly, it's pretty poor -- a mismash of urban warfare and Rasta opera -- as Cliff travels to Kingston to try to make it as a musician but ends up thwarted and, naturally, turns to Jamaica's biggest stereotype: Selling pot. Made on a low low budget, director Perry Henzell spent what money he had on all the wrong things, though Cliff's music is of course a standout.